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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Read his journal, what do I do?

117 replies

Whaddyaknow2 · 15/04/2021 12:02

DH diagnosed with depression in 2019, on Antidepressants and had some CBT (pre-COVID, completely gone since March 2020), got into using meditation, feeling stronger, more confident, all in all that aspect is going well.

But our relationship has suffered immensely. We weren’t in a good place before his diagnosis (2 small kids, full time jobs, neglected ourselves as a couple for a few years) but since the CBT and counseling he’s come to blame me a lot for his depression, and generally everything. As and when it suits him though. Sometimes it’s ‘all my fault’ and sometimes it’s from his childhood, depending on his mood. His counsellor also told him that I was emotionally abusive and he leant on that a lot afterwards (blaming me). Then 2020 hit and we’ve generally been in the shitter. He has managed to keep up his meditation which has included keeping a journal on his iPad which is meant to be about focusing on positives and all that.

He’s said he only thinks about me in a negative way now, we argue a lot and I think there’s very little trust left. But he changes his mind depending on his mood and after a particularly crap day I ended up reading his journal because I wanted to see where his head actually was.

His last entry yesterday was about how horrible I am and If we broke up I’d have no chance of finding someone now because I’m fat and flabby but that some new starts have joined his team and he’s Facebook stalked 2 of them and they are young and hot and one in particular is ‘just his type, slim with big boobs’ and if he gets the chance he might try ‘making a play’.

As you can imagine this has thrown me completely. I wish I hadn’t read it but now that I have... what do I do? Is this just some kind of fantasy thing he’s written down? Should I tell him I read it and get into that world of losing any shred of trust that might be there? He knows I know his password and he leaves the iPad out so it’s not like he’s being particularly careful in keeping it secret. I know I shouldn’t have broken that trust that I wouldn’t read it but I’m pretty much at a loss of how to understand him anymore.

We had a heart to heart last night (before he wrote the journal) and It came to light that because I’ve ‘taken the lead’ in our relationship and life (for which he calls me a control freak) because he’s always been reserved and introverted and not had a whole lot of ‘life experience’ (like practical stuff, we met in uni but he’d had very a very hands on mother who did everything for him) that he now feels stronger and more confident and wants to be ‘in charge’ of more (but couldn’t tell me what those things would be), but he’s angry at me that I didn’t just know that’s what he wanted and why I’ve been not letting him. Anyway I came out of that conversation with a better understanding of his frustrations and I thought he had a better understanding of how I saw things and why the relationship is how it is in terms of division of responsibility. But then he went and wrote that. I feel completely betrayed and I’m wondering if this is likely to be something that turns into a reality...? This is going to sound really cliche but I never thought he would even consider cheating on me and ruining our family. My own father did that and he knows how much it has fucked me up-for him to even contemplate doing that to his own kids makes me feel sick Sad

What should I do? I don’t want to walk away but I deserve better than to be in a loveless relationship where I’m at fear of him following his dick and screwing up our life. Is he likely to follow through with this??

OP posts:
Muckingaround · 15/04/2021 12:13

It all sounds terrible even if he doesn’t cheat I’m afraid

SuitableJobForaWoman · 15/04/2021 12:15

He’s not even your friend any longer. We describes their spouse with such contempt.

What is left for you here?

Sounds to me like he will be the one who will find life very difficult if he has been looked after by women his whole life.

HollowTalk · 15/04/2021 12:16

Why on earth would you want to stay with this man?

autumnboys · 15/04/2021 12:16

Honestly, I don’t think I could find my way back from that. Even before you said what he’d written, he sounded unpleasant. Please do have a think about your options.

Shoxfordian · 15/04/2021 12:17

I think you should walk away

MaizeBlouse · 15/04/2021 12:18

Sounds like a dead relationship to be honest.
He doesn't write with any love or compassion towards you in his journal and tbh there doesn't seem a lot of love towards him from you in your post either.
I'd cut your losses, there's no where to go from here

AnxiousFTMFriendlyAdvicePlease · 15/04/2021 12:21

It seems very convenient to blame you and his upbringing depending on how the wind blows for everything wrong in his life. Depression or not this is not fair and he doesn’t seem to be gaining any insight from counselling and meditation. How is he going to get any better by not acknowledging that he needs to take an active part in getting better?
Plus the awful things he has written in the journal are a step too far, fantasy of not, it makes him look dreadful and shows utter contempt for you.

Take a step back, think about what you want in life. This relationship sounds like it has run its course to me. Get your ducks in a row and think about your future and whether you want him in it.

girlwithadragontattoo · 15/04/2021 12:21

He's dragging you down, without him 'making a play' for the younger team member, do you really want to live like this? I'd imagine the kids will pick up on it too. Sounds like you'd be happier without him

litterbird · 15/04/2021 12:21

He has completely checked out of the marriage. He is blaming you and holds you in such contempt. That is awful. I suggest you get your ducks in a row and look at separating.

DrSbaitso · 15/04/2021 12:21

I'm sorry OP, but I can't see what there is here to save.

MrsTWH · 15/04/2021 12:22

Sorry OP, but it would be over for me. He sounds impossible, really hard work. And that’s before he’s openly written horrid things about you and wanting to cheat. This is not a functional relationship, you deserve better.

LadyDanburysHat · 15/04/2021 12:24

Your marriage is over. Your DH doesn't love you, and it's not clear if you actually love him. It seems clear this is beyond saving. He sees you negatively and would need a massive attitude overhaul to change this.

UltraVioletRays · 15/04/2021 12:28

What he wrote in his journal would be enough to end the relationship for me.....but even regardless of the journal I'd walk away...he sounds like a twat, he's not kind to you and resents you. Why would you want to stay?

ScabbyHorse · 15/04/2021 12:29

He is unkind and pathetic.

roadpebble · 15/04/2021 12:31

What does he bring to the relationship, for you? How does he support your emotional needs?
It just sounds as if you do absolutely everything, and also have the emotional drain of supporting him and him blaming you for his downfalls.
It sounds utterly exhausting, and of no benefit to you at all. You would be happier alone.
I'm disgusted by his journal, the comments about you and the other women. He sounds like a misogynistic teenage boy.
The children will not benefit from you staying together for their sake. They will see his contempt towards you, learning this is a 'normal' relationship - which it is not.

Tistheseason17 · 15/04/2021 12:38

It doesn't sound like either of you like each other and that should be the initial foundation for a relationship.

He sounds quite manipulative in deciding when to blame you for his issues.

I'd ask him if he wants to be married to you (I assume you do due to parent's divorce) - if he does then set some ground rules.

His depression is not an excuse to emotionally abuse you in retaliation.

CagneyNYPD · 15/04/2021 12:40

The marriage is done. He treats you with contempt. How dare he lay the blame for his difficulties at your feet!

Let me guess. While he has been unwell etc, you have shouldered the lion's share of all childcare and domestic duties? Working your backside off to keep everything together. Am I right?

I've had periods of depression. Bad enough that I couldn't really function. My DH took over everything, while also working full time. I was and still am deeply grateful. I would do the same for him. But I work hard to keep well so that it doesn't happen again. We are a team.

If your H wants more responsibility, great. He can start with discussing the new living arrangements.

Orgasmagorical · 15/04/2021 12:42

Sometimes it’s ‘all my fault’ and sometimes it’s from his childhood, depending on his mood

My ex was exactly the same, he would rant and cry at me for hours about how shit I made his life, apart from when it was his dad's fault (who was also his mother's victim). He is a man who cannot take responsibility for anything, does that sound familiar?

He knows I know his password and he leaves the iPad out

He wanted you to read it. He's told you to your face what he thinks of you and he is also ramming it home by getting you to read his self centred ramblings. I would not tell him you've read it, keep something of yourself back from him. It won't make any difference anyway, apart from give you more to disagree about.

I feel completely betrayed and I’m wondering if this is likely to be something that turns into a reality...?

I understand how you feel, I've been there, but you have bigger problems. Sorry to be blunt Flowers

What should I do? I don’t want to walk away but I deserve better than to be in a loveless relationship

You won't get many answers telling you to stay and wait and see if he does follow his dick. I was lucky in that mine did so my abusive relationship came to an end. You sound very unhappy, why don't you want to walk away? I know it's very easy for us all to say LTB but it's not impossible for you to do, it just takes bravery on your part and support.

Yes, you do deserve better than this, if he doesn't follow his dick, your relationship is still going to be the same as it is now, or worse.

I'm sorry you're going through this but there is a better life for you if you start to think of yourself more and stop dancing to his tune Flowers

Chocaholic9 · 15/04/2021 12:44

I would find it very hard to get past finding my partner had written about me in such terms. He sounds contemptuous.

randomer · 15/04/2021 12:46

Why do people post on here?

Desperation, lonliness...pout it out there, gather a few views.

What are going to get, kneee kerk reaction, variations of All Men are Bastards or similiar.

I suggest, today you contact a professional counsellor and try to work your way through the initial reading of the journal and the route forward.

You should not have read it, it is breaking a boudary.
A relationship is challenging, small children can push you to the limit.

JovialNickname · 15/04/2021 12:46

He sounds horrific, there are a lot of posts about unpleasant men on here but he sounds particularly callous and unfeeling. And manipulative - do you think he might have known you would read the journal? His diary comment is so disrespectful too, I can't imagine writing something like that about somebody I supposedly care for. If that's the level of regard he holds for you you really would be better off out of it Flowers

randomer · 15/04/2021 12:46

sorry for typos

Chickychickydodah · 15/04/2021 12:49

I couldn’t stay with him, he won’t/ can’t do things for himself or the family but blames you for taking the lead.
I’d get out as soon as and have a life .

Sparklfairy · 15/04/2021 12:54

The point of a journal is that you write down your innermost thoughts and feelings, however ugly. It's a huge breach of trust and privacy to have read it.

That said, he shows utter contempt for you. If you're that bad why does he stay? Talking about cheating and 'making a play'for a slim big boobed colleague and being derogatory about you shows exactly how he feels about you and your relationship.

I'd also suggest that he's being sucked into a victim mentality where depression is something that's happened 'to' him because of things 'done' to him by other people. The meditation and journaling then creates a vortex of these feelings in his head and then he can justify cheating or being horrible to/about you.

Dont tell him you read the journal. Protect yourself and leave him. He will only make you more and more unhappy and probably leave you anyway.

SoupDragon · 15/04/2021 12:55

This relationship is clearly dead and was dead before you read his private journal. There is no love left.

That said, no way should you have read his private journal. That is an awful thing to have done and if a man had done this to a female partner he would be robustly accused of being controlling and probably abusive for good measure.

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